If you know you’re capable but freeze under pressure — in work, sport, presentations, exams, interviews, or important moments — performance anxiety can leave you frustrated, self-critical, and questioning yourself.
You may perform well in practice, preparation, or low-pressure situations…
Then suddenly blank, overthink, tense up, or underperform when it actually matters.
This isn’t a lack of skill. It isn’t a confidence flaw. It’s what happens when pressure triggers a threat response in the nervous system.
I help people across Reading, Didcot and online reduce performance anxiety, calm pressure responses, and perform more naturally and consistently using hypnotherapy, NLP and calm, practical mindset coaching. Many people notice a real shift in ease, confidence and flow within just a few sessions.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142
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Do Any of These Sound Like You?
- You perform well until it really matters
- Pressure makes you tense, blank or overthink
- You feel watched, judged or evaluated
- You over-prepare but still underperform
- Your body reacts before your mind can intervene
- You replay mistakes afterwards and beat yourself up
- You avoid high-pressure situations if possible
- You know you’re better than how you come across
- You fear “messing it up” more than failing itself
If this resonates, you’re not broken — your system is reacting to pressure, not reality.
What’s Really Going On With Performance Anxiety
Performance anxiety isn’t about ability. It’s about perceived threat under pressure.
When the brain senses:
- Evaluation
- Consequence
- Exposure
- Expectation
…it can interpret the situation as unsafe.
This triggers:
- Fight-or-flight
- Muscle tension
- Shallow breathing
- Narrowed focus
- Reduced cognitive flexibility
Instead of accessing skill, memory and flow, the system prioritises survival.
That’s why:
- You “choke”
- You overthink
- You lose fluidity
- You stop trusting yourself
Logic alone can’t fix this — because it isn’t a logical problem.
The Science Behind Performance Anxiety (Brief & Grounded)
From a neuroscience perspective:
- Pressure activates the amygdala (threat detection)
- Stress hormones suppress the prefrontal cortex
- Fine motor control, memory and timing degrade
- Automatic skills become consciously interfered with
This is why telling yourself to “relax” or “be confident” rarely works.
Research shows that calming the nervous system and reducing perceived threat restores access to:
- Flow states
- Automatic skill execution
- Clear thinking
- Emotional regulation
Hypnotherapy supports this by helping the brain reclassify pressure as safe, allowing performance to happen without force.
How Hypnotherapy & Coaching Help With Performance Anxiety
We don’t push performance.
We remove what blocks it.
Sessions may help you to:
- Calm the nervous system under pressure
- Reduce fear of judgement or failure
- Stop overthinking during performance
- Break pressure–panic loops
- Restore trust in your ability
- Access flow more consistently
- Perform without forcing confidence
This isn’t motivational coaching or exposure training.
It’s about creating the internal conditions where performance becomes natural again.
What Working Together Looks Like
Where Sessions Take Place
- In person at my Reading or Didcot practice
- Or online via Zoom, Skype or Teams
Many clients choose a mix of in-person and online sessions.
- Reading: Monday to Friday, day and evening
- Didcot: Tuesdays, flexible times
- Online: Secure sessions from home
Why People Choose The Excel Practice for Performance Anxiety
- 18+ years’ experience helping people perform under pressure
- Specialising in overthinking, anxiety, confidence and flow
- Calm, modern, practical approach — no scripts
- Focus on regulation, not forcing outcomes
- Trusted by hundreds of clients across Reading, Didcot & online
Clients often say:
“Once the pressure eased, my ability came back.”
Performance Anxiety, Pressure & Overthinking
Performance anxiety often overlaps with:
- Overthinking
- Public speaking anxiety
- Decision fatigue
- Stress and overwhelm
- Confidence and self-doubt cycles
As these settle, people often notice improvements across multiple areas of life, not just performance.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Everyone is different, but:
- Some people notice changes within 2–3 sessions
- Others prefer 4–6 sessions for stability and confidence
- We review regularly — no pressure, no lock-ins
The goal is ease, trust, and consistency — not perfection.
Is Hypnotherapy Right for Me?
This work may suit you if:
- Pressure overrides your ability
- You perform well except when it matters most
- You want calm confidence, not hype
- You’re ready to stop fighting your reactions
If you’re unsure, you’re welcome to ask questions first.
Trusted by hundreds of clients over 18+ years, with 50+ five-star Google reviews.
Gregg C – Feb 2018 and Nov 2023, from Google reviews
Thank you for helping me to recognise the origin of the issue I had, You manged to get to its cause pretty quickly in a relaxed manner. The strategies and self-knowledge that developed from those 3 sessions enabled me to make positive changes that have improved my life and those of my family. Being able to think like that has been an eye opener, and the NLP is something i can take away with me for the future. (for performance anxiety) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Next Steps – When Pressure Stops You Performing
You don’t need more motivation.
You don’t need tougher mindset tricks.
You need the pressure response to ease.
If you’re ready to:
- Perform without panic
- Trust your ability again
- Stay present under pressure
- Access flow more reliably
…then working with performance anxiety directly can be a powerful step.
People often search for help with performance anxiety, pressure at work, choking under pressure, or fear of failing — this page focuses on resolving the pressure response itself, not just managing symptoms.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142
Book Your Session
Ask a Question
FAQ – Performance Anxiety & Hypnotherapy
Is performance anxiety the same as confidence issues?
Not exactly. Many people with performance anxiety are confident until pressure appears. The issue is the nervous system’s response to evaluation, not a lack of belief.
Why does pressure affect me more than others?
Some nervous systems are more sensitive to evaluation and consequence. This is common, changeable, and not a weakness.
Will hypnotherapy make me lose control?
No. You remain fully aware and in control at all times. Hypnotherapy is a focused, calm state — not sleep or loss of consciousness.
How quickly can this help?
Many people notice changes within a few sessions, particularly in how intense the pressure feels.
Can sessions be done online?
Yes. Online sessions are just as effective as in-person work.
Kornon D, London and Canada online, August 2024
I knew what I was capable of, but anxiety kept getting in the way when it mattered. After working with Matthew, the pressure eased and I was finally able to perform without overthinking or freezing. I feel calmer, clearer, and more confident in high-pressure situations.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142